Revised labour law beneficial
IT WILL ALSO PROTECT WORKERS IN FREE ZONES, MINISTER SAYS
More Emiratis will be absorbed into job market and workers in free zones will come under its purview
A revised labour law has been drafted allowing more Emiratis into the labour market as well as applying labour laws to workers in free zones across the country, Saqr Gobash Saeed Gobash, Minister of Labour, told the Federal National Council yesterday.
“The revised labour law will explicitly bring the private sector’s benefits on a par with those of the public sector to boost the presence of Emiratis in private businesses,” Gobash said in a letter sent to the House.
Gobash was answering a question presented by Ali Eisa Al Nuaimi, a member from Ajman, about action taken by the ministry to implement a motion presented by the House and approved by the Cabinet in 2009 concerning revising the labour law. Gobash said in the letter that the new legislation will clearly state that the law will be applicable to workers in free zones, which are part of the UAE’s territories.
“The Ministry of Labour has discussed around 95 per cent of the draft laws with concerned parties in the UAE, ahead of presenting it to the Cabinet for
The revised labour law will explicitly bring the private sector’s benefits on a par with those of the public sector to boost the presence of Emiratis in private businesses.”
Saqr Gobash Saeed Gobash Labour Minister
approval,” Gobash said. Proposed reforms of the UAE’s labour market include subsidising of citizens’ wages in the private sector, boosting their job security and a two- day weekend, among other benefits, to attract more citizens to the sector that boasts more than 4.2 million jobs.
Women’s rights
The revised UAE labour laws will also include major changes to annual leave and end of ser- vice benefits due to an employee. Major amendments that are being planned include reducing the number of days of annual leave that an employee is entitled to — from 30 days to 21. The last time amendments were made to the labour laws was in 1986.
Meanwhile, issues on women’s rights at the workplace would also form a major component of the amendments, specifically changes to the current maternity leave provision.
The UAE may be a country that is young in years, but in terms of achievements it is old and wise. And this is evident in the growth and accomplishments of the Federal National Council ( FNC), a body that represents Emiratis and plays a key role in influencing and shaping much of the country’s legislation, a senior official said in the capital yesterday.
“Through its link with the community and the undertaking of extensive studies to determine the needs of UAE residents, the FNC has contributed valuable inputs to more than 400 legislations adopted in the UAE. We also boast a ‘ parliament’ that is composed of 29 per cent female members, a rare international feat that demonstrates the UAE’s respect for women,” said Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, first deputy speaker of the FNC and director- general of the Abu Dhabi Education Council.
She was speaking at a series of sessions organised by media sector regulator, the National Media Council, in celebration of the UAE’s 43rd National Day.
The FNC underwent a fundamental transformation in 2006 after President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan decreed greater political empowerment for Emiratis. The decree specified that 20 members of the council be elected by the citizens, while the rest would be appointed.
It was in this first electoral experience that Dr Amal Al Qubaisi won a seat on the FNC, a step she said helped her contribute to the UAE and demonstrated to her own children that there is no barrier on the way to achieving their dreams.
Female empowerment
“I knew, as I participated in the transparent and fair elections, that I was a winner whether or not I acquired a seat on the FNC. After all, as sons and daughters of the UAE, we come forth when we are presented with opportunities to work for our country,” she said.
Appointed first deputy speaker of the FNC, Dr Amal was also the first woman to chair an FNC House session in 2013.
“Again, the role I have been given speaks volumes about the respect accorded to women. In fact, when we travel as an FNC delegation to international parliamentary meetings, delegates from other nations are impressed to see a team of mostly men led by a woman,” she said.
“But this is in keeping with other UAE achievements. Women here have a 60 per cent representation in the federal sector, and we have recently been ranked the best in the Arab world in terms of female empowerment and bridging the gender gap,” Dr Amal added.
The FNC also works to instil a passion for governance and political workings among young Emiratis, she told Gulf News.